Gainer tops Warren for feather crown

Alan GoldsteinTHE BALTIMORE SUN

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- With best friend Roy Jones working his corner, Derrick Gainer, of Pensacola, Fla., captured the North American Boxing Federation featherweight title by winning a lopsided 12-round decision over Harold Warren, of Corpus Christi, Texas.

The left-handed Gainer (14-3, seven KOs) proved too clever and elusive for the stalking Warren (34-8, 14 KOs). Gainer utilized a stinging jab and quick combinations to frustrate Warren. The scorecards favored the new champion, 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112. There were no knockdowns.

Top-ranked welterweight contender Larry Barnes, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., "tuning up" for his Aug. 19 title shot against Felix Trinidad on the Mike Tyson-Peter McNeeley card in Las Vegas, stopped Jeff Passero, of Crofton, at 1:34 of the fifth round of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Barnes (38-1, 15 KOs), not known for his punching power, trapped the lanky 5-foot-11 Passero in a corner and floored him with a hard right to the ribs.

Passero (20-9, 10 KOs) who had been knocked out by journeyman Jeff Graffius in his last fight in Baltimore, could not beat the count.

Despite winning every round, Barnes did not show enough to put any fear in Trinidad, rated one of the world's best fighters.